Apparatus for the storage and withdrawal of an elastically flexible rope material

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the storage and withdrawal of an elastically flexible rope material, such as a push-and-pull wire having a circular cross-section and made particularly of glass-fiber plastic, preferably for pulling cables, photoconductors or other leads into cable or line protection tubes or into empty tubes. The apparatus further contains a storage drum in which the rope material is arranged so as to rest against the inner periphery in windings, and a housing which preferably completely surrounds the storage drum and has an exit opening for the rope material to be withdrawn from and pushed back into the housing, and at least one receiving space for tools, working materials and/or accessories.

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for the storage andwithdrawal of an elastically flexible rope material, such as apush-and-pull wire having a circular cross-section and made particularlyof glass-fiber plastic, preferably for pulling cables, photoconductorsor other leads into cable or line protection tubes or into empty tubes,said apparatus comprising a storage drum in which the rope material isarranged so as to rest against the inner periphery in windings, and ahousing which preferably completely surrounds said storage drum and hasan exit opening for the rope material to be withdrawn from and pushedback into said housing, and at least one receiving space for tools,working material and/or accessories.

[0002] Such apparatus are known from prior art. Document DE 92 02 150.6U1, for example, discloses an apparatus for pulling cables into emptytubes, said apparatus comprising a clamshell housing and a drumsupported therein for receiving an elastical push-and-pull wire whichrests against the inner periphery of the drum in windings and can bewithdrawn from and pushed back into said drum and said housing throughan annular gap defined by said drum and said housing and through an exitopening. This apparatus is formed with at least one stowage space foraccessories and/or tools, said stowage space being provided either inthe central part of the housing or laterally next to the drum in thehousing. With this pre-known apparatus it turned out to be a drawbackthat the items placed into said stowage space, for instance end piecesto be screwed onto the push-and-pull wire, coupling parts or similaritems, are stored therein in disorder so that the stowage space,depending on the number of items contained therein, must be completelyemptied in order to find the desired accessory part. Accordingly, thisstowage space is lacking clear layout of the accessories or the toolscontained therein.

[0003] Starting from this prior art, the invention is based on theproblem of improving an apparatus of this kind in such a way that thetools and working materials as well as the accessories can be readilycarried along, with these items being stored in the apparatus separatelyfrom one another and as captively as possible, with the guarantee thatsaid items are clearly laid out.

[0004] In an apparatus of the type concerned, the solution of thisproblem provides for the receiving space being subdivided into pluralcompartments by means of intermediate walls and for said intermediatewalls substantially extending over the entire depth of the receivingspace.

[0005] A particular advantage obtained by this construction resides inthat the intermediate walls subdivide the receiving space into differentcompartments, allowing the tools, the working materials or theaccessories to be arranged in different compartments so that these itemsare prevented from reaching into a different compartment duringtransportation of the apparatus. Accordingly, an improved layout of theitems arranged in the receiving space is obtained, resulting in that theuser has quick access to these items while handling the apparatus.

[0006] According to a further feature of the invention it is providedthat the compartments are shaped corresponding to the outer contour ofthe tools, the working materials and/or the accessories to be received.With this configuration, the tools, the working materials and/or theaccessories are inserted in corresponding recesses, of which the contourcorresponds to the outer contour of these items so that the same arearranged at reserved locations. To this end, a foamed material block, ofwhich the surface is formed with seats for the accessories, can beinserted for instance in the receiving space. However, it is alsoconceivable that a viscohard plastic material is used instead of afoamed material block. The tools, the working materials and/or theaccessories are then captively held within the receiving space. Thisadditionally contributes to further improve the layout of thearrangement of these items, which is favourable for quick access.

[0007] In a preferred form, the construction provides for the tools, theworking materials and/or the accessories being locked in the seats sothat these items are immovably and captively held both during thetransportation and use of the apparatus.

[0008] It is alternatively and/or additionally provided that pins arearranged in the seats, for detachably mounting accessories and/orworking materials as well as tools provided with a bore to said pins,said accessories and/or materials or tools preferably being adapted forbeing fixed to said pins in a non-positive fashion. This form ofconstruction represents a second possibility of arranging the parts tobe carried along so as to be true to position and to be seen at a glancein the receiving space.

[0009] Preferably, the receiving space is arranged in the center of thehousing and/or the storage drum.

[0010] According to a further feature of the invention, the receivingspace is adapted to be covered by a closure means or a cover, saidclosure means preferably being in the form of a cap that can be screwedonto a threaded rod. On using a cover it turned out to be an advantagethat the cover is hinged to the housing and thus captively fixed to it.

[0011] Access to the accessories within the receiving space isfacilitated by the fact that the cover in its opened position can bepushed-to-lock on the housing so that the cover in this opened conditionassumes a stable position, which for instance allows the user to graspaccessories even with both hands, without running the risk that thecover falls back into its closed position.

[0012] In the apparatus according to the invention it is furtherprovided that the receiving space is formed as a pot-shaped insertpreferably insertable in a corresponding recess provided in the storagedrum. This form of construction offers the advantage, for example, thatthe receiving space formed as a pot-shaped insert is readily insertableas an additional component at the production of the apparatus accordingto the invention. In addition, it is conceivable that differentreceiving spaces for different tools, materials and accessories areinterchangeable for each other. Of course, it is also conceivable thatthe receiving space is arranged not in the housing, but in the storagedrum.

[0013] To allow safe locking of receiving space equipped with a cover, afurther feature provides for the cover being provided with a snap memberto be interlocked with the housing and/or the storage drum, said snapmember preferably being in the form of a projection. On moving the coverto the closing position, said projection will engage in a correspondingopening or a correspondingly formed recess in which the projection isheld in a positive fashion and, if necessary, also in a non-positivefashion.

[0014] According to a further development of this form of constructionit is provided that the projection is formed at least in itslongitudinal section as a semicircular and preferably semispherical nosewhich snaps into a corresponding opening.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the attached drawing whichillustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to theinvention. There is shown in:

[0016]FIG. 1 an apparatus for the storage and withdrawal of anelastically flexible rope material in a perspective exploded view aswell as in a perspective view;

[0017]FIG. 2 a plan view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1; and

[0018]FIG. 3 a sectional side view of the apparatus according to theFIGS. 1 and 2.

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 for the storage and withdrawalof an elastically flexible rope material (not represented further),namely a push-and-pull wire of glass fiber plastic for pulling cables,photoconductors or the like into cable or line protection tubes or intoempty tubes. The apparatus is comprised of a storage drum 2 which isformed by two shells 3 and 4 with circular cross-section, said shellsbeing interconnected by screw bolts 5 and nuts 6. Within the storagedrum 2 the push-and-pull wire is arranged so as to rest against theinner periphery of the shells 3 and 4 in windings.

[0020] The storage drum 2 is arranged within a housing which consists oftwo shells 7 and 8 interconnected by screw bolts 9 and nuts 10. Thestorage drum 2 is supported within said housing so as to be rotatableabout the center axis of the two shells 7 and 8. To this end, the shell8 has an axle 11 formed integrally with the inner surface thereof, saidaxle being substantially hollow-cylindrical and having a bore 12 in thebottom area thereof, for receiving a bolt. The shell 4 of the storagedrum 2 additionally includes a hollow-cylindrical neck 13 directed intothe interior space of the storage drum 2 and fixed on the inner surfaceof the shell 4, with the inner diameter of said neck corresponding tothe outer diameter of the axle 11 so that the shell 4 can be rotatablyarranged on said axle 11.

[0021] As can be seen further from FIG. 1, an opening externallyarranged in the area of the axle 11 serves for receiving a nut 14adapted to be screwed onto a screw bolt (not shown) by which the shell 4of the storage drum 2 can be fixed to the shell 8 of the housing. Theopening in the shell 8 of the housing receiving the nut 14 is covered bya cap 15, with the hollow space in the shell 8 of the housing receivingthe nut 14 being adapted so that it may also serve as a receiving spacefor tools, working materials and/or accessories.

[0022]FIG. 1 further shows that the shell 3 of the storage drum 2includes an opening 16 facing the shell 7 of the housing. Finally, acentrally arranged opening 17 is also provided in the shell 7 of thehousing, into which opening a receiving space 19 in the form of apot-shaped insert 18 is insertable. To this end, the opening 17 issubstantially circular and has two projections protruding into theinterior space of the opening 17 and cooperating with a projection 21provided on the periphery of the insert 18. By the projections 20 and 21the insert is held so as to be true to its position within the shell 7of the housing.

[0023] In the receiving space 19, intermediate walls 22 are arrangedwhich subdivide said receiving space into plural compartments 23, eachcompartment 23 of the receiving space 19 being provided for housingdifferent tools, materials and/or accessories. As can be seen forinstance from FIG. 2, the upper compartment 23 of the receiving space 19serves for housing a plastic bottle 24 containing an antiseize agent. Onthe other hand, the lower compartment 23 is filled with various couplingparts 25. Between the upper compartment 23 and the lower compartment 23another compartment 23 is provided in which elastically flexiblerod-shaped top members 26 are arranged which can be connected,particularly by screwing, to the end of the push-and-pull wireprotruding from the apparatus 1.

[0024] The push-and-pull wire is passed through an opening 27 providedin the outer rim portion of the cap 7 of the housing, through whichopening the push-and-pull wire can be drawn out from and pushed backinto the apparatus 1.

[0025] In addition, the apparatus 1 has a handle 28 which can bescrew-fitted to the housing of the apparatus 1, said handle grippingover a rim portion 29 of the shells 7 and 8.

[0026] Finally, the apparatus 1 comprises a cover 30 with which thereceiving space 19 can be covered. The cover 30 has two collinearlyarranged plug axles 31 which are plug-fitted in corresponding openingsin the insert 18 in such a fashion that the cover can be pivoted aboutthe plug axles 31 relative to the insert 18. In its opened end position,the cover 30 will lock so that for closing the cover 30 an increasedforce will have to be exerted, by which the cover 30 is forced to leaveits locking position.

[0027] From FIG. 3 it can be seen that the cover 30 has an ingressopening serving as a finger support, said ingress opening being arrangeddiametrically opposite to the plug axles 31. Additionally it can be seenthat the cover 30, in the area of the ingress opening 32, has a web-likeprojection 33 which cooperates with a recess 34 on the inner surface ofthe receiving space 19 so that the cover 30 in its closed condition isguided so as to be true to its position within said recess 34, on onehand, and that a non-positive connection, by which the cover 30 isretained in its closed position, exists between the projection 33 andthe recess, on the other hand.

[0028] The pot-shaped construction of the insert 18 can be seenparticularly from FIG. 3. Accordingly, the insert 18 has a bottom 35 andan annular side wall 36 which on its end opposite to the bottom 35comprises a neck 37 resting on the upper surface of the shell 7 of thehousing. For the purpose of simplification, the storage drum 2 arrangedwithin the housing formed by the shells 7 and 8 is not illustrated inFIG. 3.

[0029] In the area of the bottom 35, the insert has an integrally formedbolt 38 which is passed through the bore 12 in the bottom of the axle 11and is screwed to the nut 14. The insert 18 is thus connected to theshell 8 of the housing so as to be captively arranged within saidhousing.

[0030] Within the compartments 23 an unillustrated member can bearranged, with recesses formed therein, of which the contour correspondsto the outer contour of the tool, the workpiece or the accessory to behoused. For instance, this member can be formed as a foamed materialblock. However, it is also possible that the said member consists of aviscohard plastic material which is cast or drawn to the correspondingshape during production thereof. In particular, the advantage offered bythis construction is that the tools, the workpieces or the accessoriescan be arranged so as to be true to position in the receiving space 19so that the user will find these tools, workpieces and accessoriesclearly laid out, on one hand, and that these items, even with the cover30 in its opened position, cannot drop from the receiving space 19, onthe other hand. Accordingly, between the said member and theabove-mentioned accessories a frictional connection exists which isattainable particularly by the shape of the holds and by the materialselected for the said member.

1. Apparatus for the storage and the withdrawal of an elasticallyflexible rope material, such as push-and-pull wire having a circularcross section and made particularly of glass-fiber plastic, preferablyfor pulling cables, photoconductors or other leads into cable or lineprotection tubes or into empty tubes, said apparatus comprising astorage drum (2) in which the rope material is arranged so as to restagainst the inner periphery in windings, and a housing (7, 8) whichpreferably completely surrounds said storage drum (2) and comprises anexit opening (27) for the rope material to be drawn out and pushed inagain, and at least one receiving space (19) for tools, workingmaterials and/or accessories, characterized in that the receiving space(19) is subdivided by means of intermediate walls (22) into pluralcompartments, and that the intermediate walls (22) substantially extendover the entire depth of the receiving space (19).
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim, characterized in that the compartments (23) areformed corresponding to the outer contour of the tools, the workingmaterials and/or the accessories to be housed.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 2, characterized in that the tools, the working materials and/orthe accessories can be clamp-fitted in said compartments (23). 4.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that in saidcompartments (23) pins are provided to which accessories and/or workingmaterials provided with a bore can be plug-fitted, preferably in anon-positive fashion.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterizedin that the receiving space (19) is arranged in the center of thehousing (7, 8) and/or the storage drum (2).
 6. Apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that the receiving space can (19) be coveredwith a closure means or a cover (30).
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6,characterized in that the closure means is formed as a cap to be screwedonto a threaded rod.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized inthat the cover (30) is hinged to the housing (7, 9).
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (30) is adapted tobe locked in its opened position on the housing (7, 9).
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving space (19) isformed as a pot-shaped insert (18) which is preferably insertable in acorresponding opening (17) in the storage drum (2) and/or in the housing(7, 9).
 11. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that thecover (30) includes a snap member, preferably in the form of aprojection (33), adapted to be interlocked with the housing (7, 9)and/or the storage drum (2).
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11,characterized in that the projection (33) is formed as a nose which issemicircular and preferably semispherical at least in its longitudinalsection, said nose snapping into a corresponding recess (34).